Remote work is here to stay, and hybrid work is the future for many organizations. Rob Kim, CTO of Presidio, says IT leaders can easily adapt to the shift to changing work environments using the cloud.
Despite hesitancy to return to offices, 66% of workers are back in the office at least part-time, putting pressure on IT workers to create and sustain seamless in-person office re-entries. Conversely, with 60% of employees not wanting to return to the office and the possibility of a tripledemic looming, the shift to a full office for many companies is unlikely. To best adapt, IT leaders can tap into modern technologies to increase productivity and improve collaboration in a hybrid work environment for remote and in-office workers.Â
Managing Hybrid Work Environments
Hybrid work is here to stay at many organizations. Research showsOpens a new window  that 48% of the workforce will work in a hybrid environment. For IT professionals, this means ensuring that data is accessible regardless of location. One such way of best accomplishing this is with cloud technology. Cloud technology allows IT professionals to connect on-prem and remote systems, providing employees with a centralized location to access their information wherever they are. So, if someone needs to access a document while traveling or on their mobile device, they can easily pull it up.
Cloud also makes it easier for employees to collaborate. While some employees might be in the office and others are remote, cloud technology makes it easier for coworkers to share and access information. In addition, as hybrid work continues and employees rely on various apps to communicate with each other, the cloud will help deliver a seamless, lag-free experience.
It is important to note that in the age of BYOD (bring your device) and its myriad pros and cons, companies will need to turn to enhanced SaaS solutions to ensure data is secure while trying to reduce human error. To ensure BYOD and the cloud co-exist, leaders must create rules for accessing corporate applications while addressing use policies with their employees. Additionally, tools and procedures must be developed to reduce outside threats that could enter the organization.
Every solution needs to be highly secure. With data stored in a centralized environment in the cloud, organizations can better protect themselves against potential cyber threats. Depending on the company’s needs, third-party providers or internal cybersecurity teams can protect, monitor, and respond to cyber threats, getting to the root of the issue as soon as it happens instead of going through various channels to access a device outside the system. As hybrid work continues and cyber threats continue, cloud technology will play a key role in making it easier to protect an organization.
See More: How Hybrid Working Changes Business Communication through Tech Innovation
Re-allocating Spend Where It Matters
As economic indicators signal a downturn, it’s more important than ever to focus on maximizing budgets. IT professionals can help by looking for ways to optimize costs while focusing on growth opportunities and innovation.
Regular audits of services and your infrastructure and how they are utilized and map back to goals is the best place to start. Do you have duplicate services and cloud systems? For instance, an organization operating both on-prem and hybrid cloud systems may be wasting money by keeping both active. The amount of money needed to maintain these systems can be expensive. There may be an opportunity to shift on-prem systems into the hybrid cloud to remove redundancy and save money. This would also help with sustainability efforts by reducing the energy needed to power an on-prem system, which has its money-saving benefits.
This audit should also include a hard look at the organization’s software to consolidate and streamline places. For example, if an organization uses Zoom and Microsoft Teams, IT professionals can cancel the licensing on one offering and have their systems only use one tool.
Preparing for Disaster and Recovering Efficiently
Many can attest to the advantages of the cloud in storing and retrieving data, especially during an unforeseen event, hack, or breach. A recent study showed that 1 in 8 businessesOpens a new window are forced into bankruptcy because of a cyberattack. Cloud backup aids in business continuity during times like this by eliminating downtime. It is important to note that while this does not provide immunity against a stealth hacker, the cloud can provide an added layer of protection that many companies do not have.
See More: 8 Tips to Overhaul Your Backup and Disaster Recovery Strategy
Navigating Layoffs
An unfortunate side effect of economic uncertainty is the increase in layoffs. Within the last few months, major tech companies such as Twitter and Meta have laid off thousands of employees. As a new year begins and budgets refresh, layoffs are expected to continue across every industry. This means a lot of devices and information changing hands, making it hard to track each device and access permissions. Cloud technology can help you centralize, monitor, backup, and gain more insight at each step of this process so you focus on running your business rather than tracking all this down.
Implementing intelligent innovations such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and predictive analytics help transform enterprise data into well-informed insights. Additionally, running these types of technologies through the cloud will allow leaders and the teams they lead to make decisions that are not only accurate but also strategic. These types of digital capabilities are critical in helping navigate businesses toward better performance outcomes.
Between the quick shift to remote work and the rapid adoption of cloud technology, IT professionals have been pushed to the limit over the past few years. With the market signaling more tumult in 2023 and beyond, that trend is expected to continue. The further adoption of cloud technology can make their jobs easier and increase productivity and innovation as they navigate a changing market landscape.Â
When considering all the options related to the cloud, leaders must think, “what risk do we run by not moving to the cloud?†For many, the risks are high, including the chance that failure to evolve your organization using cloud technology could cause your organization to lose its competitive edge. However, with a clear and robust cloud strategy, and the right technology, the ability to create scalable, sustainable growth establishes a level of security you will want to go with.
How do you think cloud tech can help streamline the shift to hybrid work? Let us know on FacebookOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , and LinkedInOpens a new window . We’d love to hear from you!
MORE ON HYBRID WORK
- It’s Time to Tackle the Tricky Parts of Hybrid Work
- Dos and Don’ts for Hybrid Work on the Cloud
- The Hybrid Work Model Is Here: 5 Ways To Make It Work
- How Technology Is Helping Companies Navigate Hybrid Work
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